Senator Barbara Mikulski has released a statement about the recently released National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Yellow Line smoke incident that caused the death of one passenger, critical injuries to two passengers and the hospitalization of 84 others.

“The report approved by the NTSB today confirms that Metro has failed to address serious gaps in safety procedures and equipment,” Mikulski said.

“This report tells a grim tale of what happens when procedures are not followed, when a response is not coordinated, when neglect leads to fatality. Most disturbing about the report’s findings is that the NTSB had flagged many of these safety gaps in previous investigations – and yet Metro failed to take action. When I convened the Senate Metro delegation for an oversight meeting with Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld, we reinforced our message that Metro riders need straight talk about safety. The NTSB report features a lengthy list of recommendations to Metro to fill the safety gaps, and now we need a rapid response from Metro to implement these recommendations.”

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